HOWARD R. GARNER, LCDR, USN

Howard Garner '29

Lucky Bag

Howard Robert Garner

Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

"Bob"

HAILING from the land of the blue-grass, the home of the superior horse, this clean-cut young fellow made a quiet entry into our naval officers' kindergarten, and has been going his tranquil way ever since. Being a lightweight put the quietus on any athletic aspirations, so he concentrated on raising the artistic and mechanical standards of the U.S.N. A. He can build a nifty radio and manipulate a mean set of fingers that would put a "Handy Andy" to shame at any job or can listen to good music by the hour with the same relish. Another attribute is his possession of a keen business head which he has used to inestimable advantage in conducting the business end of this Bag.

In fact, he's an all around good man with quiet and unassuming airs and an irresistible attraction for both sexes.

A glance at his picture will give partial explanation for his popularity but that isn't all there is to him by a long shot. There's oceans of gray matter behind that smooth exterior and it belongs to one who takes a keen delight in using it. Here's one boy that would succeed in any walk of life. Last but not least, he's a perfect gentleman and an invaluable friend. Here's to you, Howard. May you capture the choicest of life's tidbits.

Howard Robert Garner

Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

"Bob"

HAILING from the land of the blue-grass, the home of the superior horse, this clean-cut young fellow made a quiet entry into our naval officers' kindergarten, and has been going his tranquil way ever since. Being a lightweight put the quietus on any athletic aspirations, so he concentrated on raising the artistic and mechanical standards of the U.S.N. A. He can build a nifty radio and manipulate a mean set of fingers that would put a "Handy Andy" to shame at any job or can listen to good music by the hour with the same relish. Another attribute is his possession of a keen business head which he has used to inestimable advantage in conducting the business end of this Bag.

In fact, he's an all around good man with quiet and unassuming airs and an irresistible attraction for both sexes.

A glance at his picture will give partial explanation for his popularity but that isn't all there is to him by a long shot. There's oceans of gray matter behind that smooth exterior and it belongs to one who takes a keen delight in using it. Here's one boy that would succeed in any walk of life. Last but not least, he's a perfect gentleman and an invaluable friend. Here's to you, Howard. May you capture the choicest of life's tidbits.

Loss

Posthumous award of the Lesion of Merit to Lt. Com. Howard Robert Garner, U.S.N., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Garner, 945 Cherokee Road, killed in a training accident in 1943, was announced yesterday.

A native of Lawrenceburg, Garner graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1929 and from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1933. He was serving as assistant to the head of the preliminary design section, Bureau of Ships, conducting experiments in Chesapeake Bay and was lost when a ship he was testing capsized in April, 1943 [April 9, 1943]. The citation, presented to his daughter, Celia, 4, stated: "Realizing the growing importance of underwater demolition and protection systems. Lieutenant Commander Garner planned and executed tests in an underwater explosion testing program and then applied the results of these tests to new designs of warships. By his technical knowledge and leadership in this field he contributed immeasurably to the designing of underwater protection systems of new ships which were built in time to take an active part in the war, thereby furthering the progress of the war."

Memorial Hall Error

Howard is not listed with his classmates. He was identified through the diligent efforts of Leslie Poche, a volunteer who combed through Shipmate issues to find operational losses not accounted for in Memorial Hall.

Class of 1929

Howard is one of 29 members of the Class of 1929 on Virtual Memorial Hall.